Quote:
First of all, if race meant relatively nothing, they wouldn't even give different races different stats. They would base it completely on class like a lot of games do. Second, when you use a max 30 points system (100 points total for all races), the difference between 15 and 30 stamina is freakin huge. That is 22.5 hitpoints every level. Multiply by 50 levels and thats 1125 hitpoints difference. In case you weren't aware, 1STA=1.5HP, both in equipment and when leveling. There are similar calculations for power, defense, etc. And to argue that your success is based largely on your skills is contradictory to your point because in order to use more of those skills you need more power. And an ogre guardian is gonna have a hell of a lot more power than a ratonga guardian by level 50 (STR directly effects power for warriors). Factor in that different races get to choose different racial traits that can be beneficial to certain classes, and different races have different inherent resistances, RACE MAKES A DIFFERENCE. Do the math, it's all there. I'm not trying to be an *** about it, but those who say race doesn't make a difference are generally 1.uneducated on the subject or 2.unhappy with the choice they made and don't feel like starting over.
Ok, where to start--
First of all, yes stats DO effect things, I never said that. What I am saying is that the miniscule difference, yes - it is miniscule, between races has no distinction later in the game. Not to any degree of importance.
As has been mentioned many times already, in many threads, EQUIPMENT can more than make up for any shortcomings that any race has in any stat. So when I say it comes down to player skill and keeping your abilities/spells upgraded, that is EXACTLY what it comes down to. A Ratonga vs an Ogre at any level except pre-twenties is the only time you will have any semi-noticable difference. After twenty you begin to see people wearing different combinations of armor which normally even everyone out.
The EXACT SAME is true in EQ1. After a certain level the only difference in characters other than gear were racial abilities. Larger raced got Slam, allowing them to technically bash with a two handed weapon. With the right gear in EQ1, and now EQ2, any race can play any class and have near identical stats with the propper armor combinations. Even in identical gear, it is not going to be a big enough difference to make one race better than another.
Taking your example of level and stam, yes the ogre will have more HP, but the ratonga will have more agility and therefore probably more AC. A wisdom based race will have higher power pool than an ogre. All of this for the most part is such a small difference that what it boild down to is player skill.
Quote:
but those who say race doesn't make a difference are generally 1.uneducated on the subject or 2.unhappy with the choice they made and don't feel like starting over.
Again, I will tell you that you are wrong here. I am quite educated on the subject and I am very happy with my choice as an Iksar Shadowknight.
Why I think I am educated on the subject is that I am currently level 28 and a casual player due to time restraints. I am the leader of my guild, I am the raid leader of my guild, and have to manage who does what in raid situations. When I say that race does not matter I mean race does not matter. I have seen rat bruisers tank just as well as Ogre Guardians of the same level.
When I organize group structures for raids, the last thing on my mind is what race someone is, because in the end it does not matter at all.
Edited, Wed Feb 9 15:52:11 2005 by gxm